Swiss-born Ski Instructor, Hans Thorner, founded Magic Mountain, VT in 1960. And, by 1962, the first skiers were descending from Magic's peak and soon discovering southern Vermont's most challenging mountain.

It is no wonder Thorner was so selective in his search for a mountain at which he could create "A Little Corner of Switzerland." He ended selecting Glebe Mountain in Londonderry Vermont. Glebe's separate valleys created diverse terrain heading in various directions from the lifts almost like miniature Swiss Valleys. At the bottom of it all Hans built a miniature Swiss Village complete with hotels like Dostal's and the Blue Gentian. Every structure from the base of the access road to the summit was master planned.

In the early days Magic was equally famous for its nightlife whether it be the Abracadabra Lounge, on-mountain Swiss feasts or Dostal's bar. Each year Thorner would hand select a fleet of ski instructors from Switzerland who lived on the mountain creating arguably one of the best ski schools in the country.

In 1985 the mountain was sold and neighboring Timber Ridge ski area was annexed, the ownership eventually ended up in Bromley's hands and Magic, Bromley and Timberside could all be skied on one ticket. Unfortunately a few bad snow seasons coupled with bad real estate ventures forced the mountain to close in 1991.

For six long seasons the mountain remained dark with three of its lifts sold to other New England areas to pay off debt. In 1996 a group of investors re-opened the mountain and it has slowly progressed into one of the East's finest skiing hills. Experts everywhere and ski personnel from other mountains flock to Magic on powder days. Both the trail systems and the second hidden system of off-piste glades have become proving grounds for many of New England's finest free skiers. It is currently home to one of four tour stops of the Ski The East Free Ride Tour that tests the best skiers on the most extreme terrain and at Magic, it's on the infamous Black Magic trail.

The nightlife in the lounge has also returned, only with a twist. The friendly intimate atmosphere permits parents and 21 and over set to enjoy Goniff's Den upstairs in the lodge with live music in full force. Kids are busy in the tube park in full view of the lodge and dancing to the live music. Generations of Magic faithful return to the hill each year because there is no other ski area that can provide this laid-back, fun-oriented mentality coupled with unbelievable ski terrain that keeps getting better as you become a better skier.

There is still much work that needs to be done at Magic and the current ownership group is tapping Magic's most important attribute. it's committed community of skiers and riders. A partnership form of ownership is being instituted by current mountain president Jim Sullivan.

The Magic Partnership has been designed to enable Magic to operate sustainably and make improvements to infrastructure. We successfully closed the first round of 333 shares sold in 2012 and the future looks as bright as when Hans Thorner first carved trails from the Magic's peak some 50 years ago.